28 Things To Do In Bologna
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1. Piazza Maggiore
0 km from city center
Landmark
Highlights: Neptune Fountain Bologna, Bologna, Basilica d (Read More)i San Petronio, Bologna, Casa di Lucio Dalla, Santa Maria della Vita, Bologna
Piazza Maggiore, established in the 13th century, is the central square of Bologna and a hub of historical and cultural significance. Located in the heart of the city, it is surrounded by iconic landmarks such as the Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo d'Accursio, and Palazzo del Podestà. The square is known for its vibrant atmosphere, open-air events, and as a starting point for exploring Bologna’s (Read More) medieval architecture and history.
2. Neptune Fountain Bologna
0 km from city center
Monument
The Neptune Fountain is situated at the center of Bologna. A bronze statue of the Roman God Neptune, exuding masculinity and godliness, stands imposingly in the middle with a trident in hand. Surrounding him are four putti representing the Ganges, the Nile, the Amazon and the Danube rivers.
3. Basilica di San Petronio
0 km from city center
Church & Cathedral
The Basilica di San Petronio, established in 1390, is a monumental Gothic church located in Piazza Maggiore, Bologna's central square. Known for its unfinished façade, the basilica houses impressive frescoes, including Giovanni da Modena’s depiction of Dante’s Inferno. It features one of the largest sundials in the world, designed by astronomer Giovanni Cassini in the 17th century.
4. Towers of Bologna
0 km from city center
Historical Site
Highlights: Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio, Bologna
The Towers of Bologna, particularly the iconic Asinelli and Garisenda Towers, are medieval landmarks near Piazza Maggiore. Built in the 12th century, the Asinelli Tower, at 97 meters, offers panoramic city views from its top, accessible via 498 steps, while the shorter, leaning Garisenda Tower showcases distinctive architecture. These towers are remnants of Bologna's 180 towers, of which only 24 r (Read More)emained standing.
5. Quadrilatero
0 km from city center
Landmark
Highlights: Santa Maria della Vita, Bologna
The Quadrilatero is an old market area with the best street food in Italy, with Bolognese delicacies like tortellini, Tagliatelle al Ragù, Green Lasagna, and fresh loaves of bread. You will also find fishmongers, cheese stalls, and fresh local meat shops. You can enjoy an aperitivo at one of the wine bars here.
6. Food Tours Bologna
0 km from city center
Things To Do
A visit to Bologna is incomplete without enjoying a food tour experience. This city is known as Fat City due to its rich, delectable Italian cuisine. These tours often include tastings of iconic local products like Parmigiano-Reggiano, mortadella, tortellini, and balsamic vinegar. Many tours also visit traditional markets, artisan workshops, and historic eateries, providing insights into Bologna’s (Read More) food culture and preparation techniques.
Top Hotels In Bologna
7. Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca
4 km from city center
Church & Cathedral
The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca is a prominent basilica perched on Colle della Guardia, a hill just outside Bologna's city center, offering sweeping views of the city and surrounding countryside. Known for its 3.8-kilometer-long portico with 666 arches—the longest in the world—it connects the city to the sanctuary, making it a popular pilgrimage route. The church houses the revered icon o (Read More)f the Madonna and Child, a significant symbol of devotion in Bologna. It is accessible by foot, car, or the San Luca Express tourist train.
8. Porticos Bologna
0 km from city center
Monument
A portico is like a walkway with a roof-like structure outside a building and is centred at the building's entrance. These are a UNESCO World Heritage site and an iconic feature of the city, stretching over 62 kilometers. Found throughout Bologna’s historic center, they provide sheltered walkways adorned with arches and intricate details. Key sections include the Portico di San Luca, the world's l (Read More)ongest at 3.8 km, leading to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.
9. Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio
0 km from city center
Forts & Palaces
The Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio, located in the Archiginnasio Palace in central Bologna, is a historic lecture hall built in 1637 for teaching anatomy. This wood-paneled room features a carved ceiling, intricate sculptures, and a central marble dissection table. Highlighted by statues of famous physicians and the striking "Spellati" (skinless) figures, it offers a glimpse into the earl (Read More)y study of medicine. Situated near Piazza Maggiore, it is a key part of Bologna’s rich academic heritage.
10. Basilica of Santo Stefano
1 km from city center
Church & Cathedral
The Basilica of Santo Stefano in Bologna, often called the "Seven Churches," is a unique religious complex located in the heart of the city on Piazza Santo Stefano. Dating back to Roman times, it comprises several interconnected churches, cloisters, and chapels, each showcasing distinct architectural styles and historical layers. Known for its serene ambiance and intricate details, highlights incl (Read More)ude the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, inspired by Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre, and the peaceful Pilate's Courtyard.
11. National Art Gallery Bologna
1 km from city center
Art Gallery
The National Art Gallery is located in what was formerly the Jesuit novitiate of Sant'Ignazio. An excellent place for art lovers, the Gallery owns numerous paintings by Emilian and other non-Bolognese artists from the 13th to the 18th century and painting of tempera and gilded wood.
12. Archaeological Museum of Bologna
0 km from city center
Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Bologna is one of the most important museums in Italy, dedicated to the history and archaeology of the region of Emilia-Romagna. It is located in the Palazzo Galvani and is a must-visit for anyone interested in archaeology, history, and ancient civilizations.
Discover More About Sightseeing & Tourist Attractions in Bologna
13. Hidden Canals Bologna
0 km from city center
Viewpoint
The Hidden or Secret Canals of Bologna Is an ancient system of canals that existed centuries ago in the city. They are now hidden by the city infrastructure which has been built over them. On the Via Piella, peer into a tiny window to get a look at the hidden canal, a remnant of the old canal system.
14. MAMbo
1 km from city center
Museum
MAMbo - Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna is a museum of modern and contemporary art in Bologna. It features art created after the end of WWⅡ and is frequently updated by the art of the present times. It also houses the Morandi Museum.
15. Giardini Giardini Margherita
1 km from city center
Garden & Park
The Giardini Margherita is one of the most extensive city parks in Bologna. These green landscapes cover an area of 26 hectares with lush tree-lined avenues, ponds, kiosks, cafes, a wifi connection, and a basketball court. There’s also a vegan restaurant (Vetro) in the park.
16. Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio
0 km from city center
Forts & Palaces
The Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio is home to the Historical Museum of Bologna on Via Castiglione. This museum of Bolognese history is sectioned into different phases, from the Etruscan Felsina to the present Bologna. The museum has a beautiful blue wireframed room with a simulated river.
17. Museum of San Colombano - Tagliavini Collection
0 km from city center
Museum
The Museum of San Colombano is a church museum in Bologna. It houses the exquisite Tagliavini Collection of Musical Instruments, which consists of over 80 instruments, such as clavichords, spinets, oboes, etc. It is located on Via Parigi.
18. Palazzo Fava
0 km from city center
Forts & Palaces
The Palazzo Fava is a palace museum located on the Via Manzoni in Bologna. This mansion regularly hosts temporary art exhibits such as Girl with a Pearl Earring (La Ragazza con l’orecchino di Perla) and From Cimabue to Morandi-Felsina Painter (Da Cimabue a Morandi-Felsina Pittrice).
19. Palazzo Poggi
1 km from city center
Forts & Palaces
The Palazzo Poggi is a palace housing different scientific museum chambers in Bologna. The museum of ships and ancient geographical maps includes naval models and geographical maps from the 17th and 18th centuries from the Institute of Sciences. The views from Its tower are amazing.
20. Casa di Lucio Dalla
0 km from city center
Landmark
The Casa di Lucio Dalla was the house of the famous Bolognese singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla near Piazza Maggiore in Bologna. The tour is a sensory walk through the various artifacts, the musician collected, including many splendid 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scenes and other artworks.
21. Santa Maria della Vita
0 km from city center
Church & Cathedral
The Church of Santa Maria Della Vita is in Quadrilatero, Bologna's heart. This baroque church flaunts the famous Compianto del Cristo Morto sculpture by Niccolò dell'Arca. In Oratorio dei Battuta, you will see another fantastic terracotta scuplture by Alfonso Lombardi—Il Transito della Vergine.
22. La Piazzola Market
1 km from city center
Shopping Market
With the majestic medieval architecture and an endless selection of typical Italian food, La Piazzola Market is located at the Piazza VIII Agosto, Bologna and no wonder it's the gastronomical heart of Bologna. It has more than 400 stalls selling clothing, crafts and food in the marketplace
23. Gelato Museum
12 km from city center
Museum
The Gelato Museum Carpigiani in Anzola dell’Emilia is a one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to the history and making of gelato. It takes you through the evolution of gelato over time. You can try artisanal gelato machines and explore how gelato-making technology has advanced.
24. International Museum and Library of Music
1 km from city center
Museum
The International Museum and Library of Music sit inside the magnificent Palazzo Sanguinetti in Bologna. It proclaims more than 80 musical instruments from the Medieval and post-Medieval periods. It was previously known as the Musicale.
25. Certosa di Bologna
3 km from city center
Cemetery
The Certosa di Bologna is a large cemetery museum spread across 30 hectares of land in Bologna. Here lie the graves of some prominent Italian and Bolognese persons like Lucio Dalla, a famous musician, founders of Maserati and Ducati, Giorgio Morandi, a talented painter, and others.
26. FICO Eataly World
6 km from city center
Restaurant
FICO Eataly World is a food centre and theme park for food lovers in Bologna. There are 45 small restaurants here. Here, there is a space apportioned to grow vegetables, cereals and herbs, fruits, olives, truffles, and stables to rear farm animals for meat and dairy.
27. Museum of Memory of Ustica
Museum
With the carefully reconstructed debris of the aircraft, a somber environment and thousands of memories, the Museum of Memory of Ustica lies in the Italian city of Bologna. A shrine to the victims of the Ustica Massacre, was set up by the Association of Relatives of the victims of the tragic event.
28. Prendiparte Tower
0 km from city center
Sightseeing
Prendiparte Tower is famous because it is one of the 20 towers that have survived out of 100 and is second highest in the city after Asinelli Tower. Climbing the internal staircase culminates your tour with a panoramic view of Bologna with red roofs, medieval buildings, towers and green cliffs .
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FAQs on Bologna
What are the top hotels in Bologna?
There are 1861 Hotels in Bologna which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Bologna are Casa Maria Orri, The Frog's Hideaway, Appartamento Dossetti 21, Cavour Apartment, B&B Griffoni 7, Villa BÃ nel centro. You can see all the hotels in Bologna here
How can I commute within Bologna?
Bike is the most famous and convenient form of transport and most tourists rent a bike - with many places in Bologna renting out bikes. Walking is also much recommended, as there are easy to undertsand road signs everywhere in Bologna. All you have to get is a map from the tourist information centre and orient yourself to major landmarks.
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